Sunday, October 25, 2009

Orkney Springs - Shrine Mont

Shrine Mont

My husband and I went away for 2 days to Orkney Springs, a small town located in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia and home to Shrine Mont, a conference center of the Episcopal Diocese of Va. which consist of 1,000 acres, adjoining The George Washington National Forest at the foot of the Great North Mountain which is part of Appalachian chain of Allegheny mountains. We like to go there and relax , get away from phones, t.v.s and sit outside if the weather is nice , read or take walks , especially now as the folliage is gorgeous.

Shenandoah is an Indian name and it means 'Daughter of the stars".

The Virginia House built in 1873 was formerly known as the Orkney Hotel. There is large Dining Hall , meeting rooms and offices, and a winding staircase. There is also a large ballroom on third floor and is 5.000 square feet. Beautiful wrap around porches with rocking chairs. We enjoyed sitting on the second floor balcony with a cup of complimentary coffee or tea from the lobby of the Virginia House.

When work began on Orkney Springs hotel in the 1800's, it soon became a tourist attraction, because of the seven natural springs, people would visit to take in the waters . Three springs today are visible on the property.

In 1925 the open air Cathedral was consecrated. Each of the stones were rolled or taken from the mountain by horse. The baptismal font was once used by Indians to grind corn. A truly beautiful and spiritual place.
Great place for family get together.Simply appointed, with beautiful views of the property from our window in the room.
We have visited several times and will visit many more times in the future. Peaceful and relaxing, and family style meals served to us in the Tucker lodge dining room.
In the lounge areas , Brown Hall and Art Hall, which is home to art of John Douglas Woodward, uncle of Shrinemonts founder (1846-1924). Large stone fireplaces burning with a cozy fire, are so inviting.

Virginia House

Entrance to Shrine Mont

Entrance to the Virginia House.

Large dining hall.

Images from inside Va. House

Beautiful Antiques on display

Tables dressed for Fall

Lounge in Va. house

Art Hall

our room

view from our window

lounge next to our room

beautiful pieces of furniture in the lounge area

there is a sofa and chair, I didn't get a picture of that, just the beautiful antique pieces

other views of property- if you enlarge, you can see the stone fence.

spring

Tucker lodge

fireplace in Tucker dining hall

shrine walk

first station of the cross.

click on pictures to enlarge

beautiful views and baptismal font

little dark, but this stained glass was so pretty with the light coming through it.

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QUOTES

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation:
For it's better to be alone than to be in bad company.
--George Washington.............................................................................